WILL it be more preliminary final heartache for the Dogs? Will the Giants' fairytale run continue? Can the Swans upset the Cats at the MCG? Or does Geelong's rich finals history continue.
Our 15 reporters make the call, with eight tipping an upset on Friday night and backing the Swans in a thriller. Unfortunately for Bulldogs fans, only four believe the Doggies can force their way into their first Grand Final since 1961.
Check out our tips and have your say.
Nick Bowen
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by nine points
Most possessions: Joel Selwood (36)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Tom Mitchell is switched on to Dangerfield after a dominant opening first term from the Cats superstar, and limits his influence thereafter.
The moment: Dane Rampe runs back with the flight of the ball to mark in front of Tom Hawkins late in the final term, killing off the Cats' brave challenge.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: GWS by 17 points
Most possessions: Lachie Hunter (37)
First goal: Tory Dickson
The man: Shane Mumford's physical presence around stoppages is vital as the Giants' fresh midfield eventually overruns the Bulldogs' on-ballers.
The moment: After the Bulldogs jump to a three-goal quarter-time lead, Ryan Griffen kicks a steadying goal for the Giants early in the second term that turns the tide of the game.
Ashley Browne
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by eight points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (37)
First goal: Steven Motlop
The man: Joel Selwood. Not sure if you can bet on this, but it's a final, he will crack in and he'll end the match swathed in a head bandage. Again.
The moment: 2.34 into the first quarter when Nick Davis (Nick Daaaaaavis!) gets his first mention.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 12 points
Most possessions: Stephen Coniglio (32)
First goal: Tory Dickson
The man: Tom Scully's move to GWS will be vindicated when he gets 30 or so touches and earns himself a berth in the Grand Final. Maybe the Melbourne supporters will finally shut up.
The moment: Tom Boyd's first goal, whenever that is.
Ben Collins
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by nine points
Most possessions: Josh Kennedy (34)
First goal: Mitch Duncan
The man: Swans youngster Tom Papley follows up a four-goal effort in the semi-final against Adelaide with three more, including two in a tense final term to put his team in front.
The moment: Geelong superstar and raging Brownlow Medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield dominates until being ironed out, fairly, by Swans hard nut Luke Parker in the third term. Dangerfield eventually returns, but the time he spends in the rooms undergoing concussion tests proves costly for the Cats.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Western Bulldogs by three points
Most possessions: Matthew Boyd (33)
First goal: Tory Dickson
The man: Bulldogs prodigy Marcus Bontempelli has only limited influence for three quarters but explodes in the final term with several visionary possessions.
The moment: At the death, Dogs skipper Easton Wood takes a courageous, match-saving mark reminiscent of Leo Barry's iconic grab in the 2005 Grand Final.
Adam Curley
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by 18 points
Most possessions: Dan Hannebery (38)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Luke Parker.The star midfielderdominates with 25+ possessions and 10 tackles, but more importantly, floats forward to kick three vital goals.
The moment: Kept in check by Cats defender Tom Lonergan for most of the match, Swans star Lance Franklin marks just outside 50 early in the last quarter, before launching a 65-metre bomb to put his team in front.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Western Bulldogs by 11 points
Most possessions: Jack Macrae (34)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: Tory Dickson. The sharp-shooter puts last week's goalkicking woes behind him to boot five straight in a tight one against the Giants.
The moment: Dogs star Marcus Bontempelli takes a crucial contested mark deep inside 50, and kicks truly to seal the win.
Easton Wood training before a big crowd ahead of the prelim final. Picture: AFL Photos
Nat Edwards
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by 11 points
Most possessions: Joel Selwood (35)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Lance Franklin. He thrives on the big stage and plays so well at the MCG. When the game is in the balance, he has the talent and ability to turn the tide in the Swans favour.
The moment: Franklin picks the ball up on the wing, fends off Patrick Dangerfield, weaves his way through traffic, takes a bounce and kicks a long goal from 55m to bring down the house.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by five points
Most possessions: Dylan Shiel (36)
First goal: Tory Dickson
The man: Stephen Coniglio. The midfielder is given the job of curbing the influence of Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli. Not only does he limit the Bont's space and time, he manages to collect 27 touches of his own.
The moment: Jeremy Cameron kicks a goal with 15 seconds left in the match to put the Giants in front, breaking the hearts of Bulldogs fans.
Lee Gaskin
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by eight points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (32)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Isaac Heeney has another blinder in the midfield for the Swans, finding plenty of the footy while also bobbing up forward for a couple goals.
The moment: Having been kept quiet for most of the match, Lance Franklin spins on to his left foot and launches a trademark goal from outside 50 in the last quarter to seal victory for the Swans.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 25 points
Most possessions: Heath Shaw (34)
First goal: Jeremy Cameron
The man: Heath Shaw exerts his influence from half-back to rack up a mountain of possessions and get the ball into the hands of the dynamic Giants midfielders.
The moment: Jeremy Cameron beats his defender on the lead and calmly goes back and slots his fourth goal of the day in the last quarter to give the Giants an unassailable lead.
Ben Guthrie
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by eight points
Most possessions: Josh Kennedy (37)
First goal: Lincoln McCarthy
The man: After a subpar season, Tom Hawkins has looked far more dangerous in recent weeks as the Cats' improved forward spacing has generated more one-on-ones for the spearhead. Don't be surprised if he kicks five goals to get Geelong over the line.
The moment: Joel Selwood is fanatical with his attack on the footy and wins a crucial fourth-quarter contest that leads to a Hawkins goal with less than five minutes remaining that helps the Cats into their first Grand Final since 2011.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 21 points
Most possessions: Dylan Shiel (31)
First goal: Tory Dickson
The man: Dylan Shiel is an exceptional young player and he will further enhance his status as one of the competition's best up and coming midfielders. His offensive spread is elite and if the Bulldogs don't manage to bottle the game up, Shiel, Josh Kelly and co could do some real damage in transition.
The moment: Scores are tight at the start of the fourth term when Heath Shaw leaves his man to have impact in a contest involving Tom Boyd and Phil Davis. The Giants race the ball to the opposite end of the ground where Toby Greene kicks the first of three last-quarter goals to see GWS through to its first Grand Final.
Travis King
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by 14 points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (38)
First goal: Daniel Menzel
The man: Tom Hawkins threatened to tear Hawthorn apart in the qualifying final and the big Cat will bag five majors against the Swans' defence with better supply.
The moment: As Lance Franklin wheels around for a trademark 60m bomb, Joel Selwood will launch himself and drag down the Swans superstar with a team-lifting tackle.
Expect Paddy Dangerfield to find plenty of the footy against the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos.jpg)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Western Bulldogs by 11 points
Most possessions: Stephen Coniglio (33)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: Liam Picken has been running riot in attack this September and will bob-up again with three crucial goals to see the Doggies home.
The moment: A Tom Liberatore smother at half-back will turn the ball over and set in motion a chain leading to the Dogs' match-sealing goal in the final minute.
Alex Malcolm
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by six points
Most possessions: Joel Selwood (36)
First goal: Steven Motlop
The man: Tom Hawkins will stamp his authority in the second half with a couple of big one-on-one marks and clutch goals to give the Cats the edge.
The moment: Patrick Dangerfield breaks free from a stoppage late and finds Hawkins deep one-on-one. He marks and goals to put the Cats in front for good.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 20 points
Most possessions: Josh Kelly (27)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: Callan Ward will want to impose himself and the winner of this match will go lower and hard for longer at the contest. Ward does that as well as anyone and he'll have a big third term with eight contested possessions.
The moment: It might come early. A turnover from the Dogs going inside forward 50 will be rebounded by the orange tsunami running through the middle and will end in a goal. It will set the tone.
Dinny Navaratnam
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by 13 points
Most possessions: Josh Kennedy (38)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Dan Hannebery – the man will run himself to exhaustion to ensure the Swans win so expect him to deliver on Friday night.
The moment: Lance Franklin wheeling around on his left and booting a goal from 65m.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 31 points
Most possessions: Callan Ward (33)
First goal: Devon Smith
The man: Jeremy Cameron – his third quarter helped lift the Giants over the Swans in the qualifying final and he will once again relish the finals stage.
The moment: Shane Mumford smashing Tom Boyd with a huge bump.
Peter Ryan
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by 11 points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (33)
First goal: Steven Motlop
The man: Lincoln McCarthy puts enough pressure on to cover Tom Hawkins, Dan Menzel, Josh Caddy and Motlop and kicks three goals himself. He is a match-winner.
The moment: Tom Lonergan spoils Lance Franklin, Corey Enright wins the ground ball and clears to Joel Selwood who handballs to Dangerfield in space. Dangerfield has four bounces before kicking a goal.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Western Bulldogs by nine points
Most possessions: Lachie Hunter (32)
First goal: Tom Boyd
The man: Tom Liberatore begins to dominate stoppages after half-time, giving the Bulldogs' ascendancy inside the contest and feeding their runners. Greater Western Sydney's defence doesn't cope.
The moment: Shane Mumford tries to run through Tom Boyd five minutes in, but the youngster stands up and marks two minutes later. He goes back and kicks the goal and runs to Mumford to rub it in.
Nathan Schmook
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by six points
Most possessions: Dan Hannebery (34)
First goal: Tom Papley
The man: Luke Parker will savour a midfield battle against Joel Selwood but watch for him to drift forward dangerously and kick a crucial goal or two that could be the difference.
The moment: Isaac Heeney finds space on the wing and bursts forward to kick a crucial goal on the run and steal back the lead.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by five points
Most possessions: Jack Macrae (36)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: It takes speed and skill to find gaps in the Bulldogs' famed team defence and Devon Smith has both. Loves big moments and is built for finals.
The moment: Rory Lobb pushes back into defence and takes a crucial pack mark that stops the Dogs' last desperate thrust forward.
Matt Thompson
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by 17 points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (29)
First goal: Daniel Menzel
The man: Jimmy Bartel will bounce back and prove his critics wrong with an explosive start to the game that gives Geelong an early edge.
The moment: As things get closer early in the final quarter, Paddy Dangerfield steps up another notch and helps steer the Cats into the Grand Final.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by five points
Most possessions: Tom Scully (27)
First goal: Callan Ward
The man: Jeremy Cameron will kick accurately and confidently, defining himself as the Giants' hero up forward.
The moment: After a game played at blistering pace, the Giants will maintain possession for the last two minutes to keep the lead and secure a narrow victory.
Callum Twomey
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Geelong by 15 points
Most possessions: Patrick Dangerfield (33)
First goal: Isaac Heeney
The man: Scott Selwood didn't play last time the Cats faced the Swans, when the Swans were too good for them at Simonds Stadium. So we're backing him to have a big impact on this preliminary final. He'll tag one of the Swans' midfield stars – we're tipping it's Dan Hannebery – and close him out of the game.
The moment: After speculation about his place in the Cats' side, Jimmy Bartel kicks two last-quarter goals to break open the match and put his side into another Grand Final.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by nine points
Most possessions: Jack Macrae (35)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: Stephen Coniglio was outstanding in the first final, gathering 26 disposals, kicking a goal and laying nine tackles for the Giants. The talented midfielder has had an excellent season – the best of his career – and will be keen to continue that form in his club's most important game.
The moment: Former Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen kicks the sealing goal late in the contest to help Greater Western Sydney into its first Grand Final.
Michael Whiting
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
Winner: Sydney Swans by 14 points
Most possessions: Josh Kennedy (36)
First goal: Steven Motlop
The man:While Kennedy and Patrick Dangerfield rack up the numbers, watch for Luke Parker to have the most influence with his physicality around the ball and ability to go forward and kick goals.
The moment: Aliir Aliir's intercept mark, running away with two or three bounces to set up a crucial Swans goal late in the final quarter.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Winner: Greater Western Sydney by 17 points
Most possessions: Stephen Coniglio (30)
First goal: Toby Greene
The man: Jeremy Cameron. With the two talented midfields playing each other to a standstill, Cameron will prove the difference – as he was in his first final – by kicking a bag of goals.
The moment: Shane Mumford cleans up Tom Boyd with a hip-and-shoulder, sparking a first quarter melee.
